Donna Kelce Shares Her Secret to Staying Close to Sons Travis and Jason Amid Their Busy NFL Lives

Being the mother of two Super Bowl-winning sons comes with a lifestyle few can imagine. For Donna Kelce, 73, it’s a balancing act that blends travel, planning, and a healthy dose of humor — all while ensuring she stays connected to her sons, Travis and Jason Kelce, and their growing families. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Donna reveals the philosophy that has allowed her to see her sons regularly “without being a pest.”

The key, according to Donna, is simple: grandparents need to travel to their children, not the other way around. “I’ve been very fortunate because I worked most of my life to be able to travel. That’s the one thing I try as much as I can without being a pest. I try to show up,” she explains. She is adamant that asking children to come to you, especially when they have demanding careers, risks becoming a burden. “You’re disrupting them. Grandparents need to travel to their children. That’s just the way it is. Otherwise, you become a burden. That’s the way I feel.”

Donna’s approach is rooted in decades of experience navigating the hectic schedules of her sons. Both Travis, 36, returning for another season with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Jason, 38, who retired in 2024 from the Philadelphia Eagles, have lived lives defined by training camps, games, travel, and family commitments. Growing up, their mother juggled an extraordinary schedule of her own, ensuring her boys had the support, guidance, and stability needed to thrive.

Reflecting on raising her sons, Donna shared a revealing anecdote from 2023, explaining how she and ex-husband Ed Kelce stayed together — for the sake of logistical sanity. “If we had split as we probably both would have preferred, that would have been a nightmare with the logistics, getting kids where they had to be and providing all the support,” Ed admitted in the documentary Kelce, chronicling Jason’s career. Donna added, “Just trying to keep it all together when you’re being a parent… it’s tough.”

Her philosophy as a grandmother is a natural extension of that discipline and practicality. Donna has embraced what she calls the “grandma era,” positioning herself to be present in her grandchildren’s lives without overwhelming them or their parents. The strategy combines mobility, preparation, and respect for boundaries — and it works. She emphasizes that timing, humor, and organization are essential to maintaining closeness without friction.

Recently, Donna partnered with GameChanger, a leading youth sports streaming app, to unveil the “Gran Cave,” a dedicated home viewing setup for grandparents to follow sporting events and milestones in real time. The system allows her to keep track of all of the next generation’s games and activities in one convenient, tech-savvy hub. While the app currently focuses on adult sports coverage, Donna is preparing for the eventual transition to her grandchildren. “My Gran Cave is for 36-year-olds. It’s not for 6-year-olds, because they don’t do anything just yet,” she explains. “Most of my walls at home are covered with professional sports… It’ll be over within the next couple of years, and then I’ll start with my grandchildren’s stuff.”

Even without modern technology, Donna managed to keep track of her sons’ schedules with a mix of humor and organization. “I just had a calendar on my refrigerator and it said, ‘You need to be here at this time.’ ‘This kid needs to be here at that time.’ ‘We’re going away to West Virginia for a baseball tournament,’” she recalls. “However, you can do it… You have to have it out there. Otherwise, you’ll go insane. It’s a lot.”

The Kelce household has always been one where structure meets flexibility. Donna’s ability to adapt — whether managing game-day logistics, training schedules, or family milestones — has enabled her sons to excel in their respective NFL careers. It’s a testament to her patience, foresight, and humor that both Travis and Jason have not only reached the pinnacle of professional football but have also maintained strong family ties.

Donna is particularly proud of how she has cultivated a positive family dynamic as her sons entered the NFL. She emphasizes that being present in small ways — visiting at the right time, helping with logistics, sharing meals, or cheering from the sidelines — often has more impact than constant calls or demands. “I try to show up, and I try to do it without being intrusive,” she explains.

Her philosophy resonates with many grandparents who struggle to stay connected to adult children juggling careers and families. By modeling balance, respect, and proactive engagement, Donna has turned what could have been a logistical nightmare into a sustainable, joyful routine.

Travis Kelce, returning to the Chiefs for his 14th NFL season, has a demanding pre-season schedule, including intense training routines revealed by Donna herself. “He always goes into his own routine with training, and it’s brutal,” she said to PEOPLE. “Then he goes to actual training camp. He has to get ready before he goes to training camp. It’s a long process. It’s months to get ready. That’s what he’s doing right now.” These months of preparation are critical, not only for Kelce’s performance on the field but also for keeping family life in sync with professional obligations.

Jason Kelce, though retired, remains active in his family life and frequently hosts gatherings for his four daughters with wife Kylie Kelce, 34. Donna’s proactive approach ensures that she remains an integral presence, attending events, supporting her grandchildren’s milestones, and maintaining close relationships with her sons.

The Kelce family story illustrates a rare balance: professional excellence combined with strong family bonds. Donna Kelce’s insight into managing these dynamics highlights how dedication, humor, and strategic planning can keep a family connected across distance, schedules, and high-pressure careers.

Through travel, the Gran Cave setup, and a philosophy of proactive presence without intrusion, Donna has created a template for modern grandparenting that accommodates the fast-paced world of professional sports. Her approach ensures that she can enjoy quality time with her sons and grandchildren, fostering a sense of continuity and connection that spans generations.

Even as the NFL season approaches and Travis prepares for another demanding year on the field, Donna Kelce remains a steady presence, committed to her family while embracing the joys and challenges of grandparenthood. Her story is a testament to resilience, planning, and the simple principle that sometimes, the best way to stay close is to show up — thoughtfully, respectfully, and with a good sense of humor.

For fans of the Kelce family and those inspired by high-profile NFL lives, Donna Kelce offers a rare, candid look into what it takes to remain connected while supporting professional athletes at the pinnacle of their careers. Her advice is clear, practical, and heartfelt: don’t expect your kids to come to you — go see them, embrace the chaos, and make it work.